Excretory prosthesis

ABSTRACT

A combination of a forced air-vacuum producing device and a water supply for cleansing and drying the perineal area of a body covered by a watertight cup having air and water supply means and a waste tube. Electrical energy operates the air-vacuum and water supply and has a manually activated timer to provide the cleansing and drying of the perineum in sequence.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Donald D. Webb 2,344,561 3/1944 Popil North 133 Stone, Spokane, Wash. 99202 2,749,558 6/1956 L et al-- [21] Appl. No. 750,610 2,944,551 7/1960 Breer............................ [22] Filed Aug. 6,1968 2,968,046 1/1961 [45] Patented Dec. 14, 1971 3,034,131 5/1962 Lent...... 3,349,768 10/1967 Keane Primary Examiner-Charles F. Rosenbaum Attorney-Norman H. l'lufi' E ma F a h w Yn RD 06 ms m Ch XC E9 4 U ABSTRACT: A combination of a forced air-vacuum producing device and a water supply for cleansing and drying the perineal area of a body covered by a watertight cup having air and water supply means and a waste tube. Electrical energy operates the air-vacuum and water supply and has a manually activated timer to provide the cleansing and drying of the perineum in sequence.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1942 PATENTEMEc-Mmn $626341 SHEET 1 [1F 3 DONALD D. WEBB INVEN'I'OK.

Pmminnzmmn 31626341 SHEET 2 0F 3 FIG-2 DONALD D. WEBB INVENTOR.

PATENTED DEC! 4 ml SHEET 3 0F 3 m m-m DONALD D WEBB IN VENTOR.

EXCRETORY PROSTI-IESIS My present invention relates in a broad sense to prosthetic devices; that is, in the sense of adding to the human body and artificial part or device which implements or complements a function of the body. More particularly, the invention is a device for receiving and dispensing of the excretory matter from the human body, including both the urine and feces; and caring for the area of the body contaminated thereby through sequential fluid washing and air drying.

Throughout this specification and the appended claims, I employ the term perineum" and its analogues in a broad sense to include an area which comprises the urinal and anal openings and a limited area contiguous thereto and not the area between the anus and genitalia only. The tenn is also employed to include both males and females throughout.

oftentimes the human body is incontinent of its excretory matter: in adults, by reason of debilities brought about by age, disease, surgery, etc.; and in the very young, preceding training. The most prevelant care for persons so disposed is to apply diaperlike absortive materials or diapers to contain and absorb the fluid excreta. However, this requires much attention from a nurse or attendant and is extremely uncomfortable for the adult invalid; especially where the discharge is constant because of complete cessation of control. Where some degree of control is present, it is customary, in hospitals, to supply bed pans to bedridden patients. It is known to provide water flushing means for portable bed pans as shown in US. Pat. No. 2,76l,149 of Sept. 4, 1956. However, this advancement falls short of a fully desirable apparatus because it fails to provide means for cleansing the perineal area following defecation or urination.

My present invention seeks to provide an excretionary prosthesis which fulfills the needs of a human body incontinent of its excretory matter by providing means for disposing of the excreta and washing and drying the perineum in accordance with individual desire.

One primary object of my invention lies in the provision of a prosthesis for invalids of the type described which is functionally capable of accomplishing the foregoing requirements and is comfortable for the invalid to wear continually where the need is present.

Another object of my present invention lies in the provision of a cup of supple pressure deformable material shaped to form a watertight cover for the perineum and releasably secured in place by novel harness means.

A further salient object is to provide either portable or fixed means for supplying a cleansing fluid and drying air to the said cup so as to cleanse and dry the perineum as manually required.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of a manually activated sequencing timer and complementary parts to control the flow of said cleansing fluid and air to fulfill the required functions.

A still further object of the invention lies in the provision of a waste hose communicating with said cup and constructed and a arranged to exhaust the water, air and excreta therefrom.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent and meaningful during the course of the following specification when considered in association with the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of the invention is graphically illustrated. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It should also be understood that various changes in construction may be resorted to in the course of manufacture without in any way departing from the spirit of the invention which is to be understood only in accordance with the appended claims. Furthermore, it is to be understood that while the invention is described in one particular association, it is not my intention to unnecessarily limit the applicability of the invention, but I desire to reserve to myself the claimed invention for every use of which it is now known or subsequently discovered to be susceptible.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts as are hereinafter more specifically described in the following portions of this specification and particularly claimed in the claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of the invention is exemplified for purpose of illustration and not limitation.

In the said drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view partially in section and partially in phantom;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the body-attachable cup;

FIG. 3 is an elevation of the cup partially in section substantially as at line 33 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view as at line 4-4 of 3;

FIG. 5 is a wiring diagram of the energizing and control means; and

FIG. 6 is a scale showing the relative time and extent of the washing and drying functions.

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, I have shown in phantom in FIG. 1 a hospital bed C having the body B of a patient reposing thereon.

A cup 10 of supple pressure deformable material, for example, rubber or the like, is generally shaped to cover the perineal area P of a human body B, including the urinal and anal openings U and A. The cup 10 is sufficiently flexible to conform to the various configurations and sizes of normal adults, and other smaller and larger cups 10 may be provided to adapt to children and adults of unusual size.

The cup 10 is provided with belt securing rings 1I-11 to which leg encircling adjustable straps 12-12 are attached and other rings 13-13 to which longitudinally parallel support straps l4 14 are attached. An adjustable belt 15 has a buckle l6 and is adapted to extend about a patients waist. The support straps l4--l4 are secured to the belt and constitute the main means for providing pressure to support the cup 10 longitudinally of the body and thus maintain the cup in watertight contact with the body in covering relation to the perineum, P. Other straps 17-17 interconnect the belt 15 and the straps 12-12 to complement the supporting function of the harness 12-17. For convenience, each leg strap 12-I2 may have a buckle means 18 as shown in FIG. 2.

The cup 10 has a continuous lip 20 designed to make a watertight juncture with the body B and to this end is quite soft and pliable and thus susceptible of conforming to the body shapes encountered. Cup 10 also includes inner and outer spaced shells 21 and 22 defining a cavity 23 therebetween.

Communicating interiorly of the inner shell 21, that is with the space defined by the inner shell 21 and the perineum P of a ppatients body B, is a waste tube 24 of a diameter sufficient to pass the feces. The tube 24 is rubber or the like and is supported against collapsing by a helicoid ring 25 imbedded in its cylindrical wall 26.

Held in spaced relation to the wall 26 by radical webs 28, is an outer wall 27 forming an air water conduit 29 which communicates with the cavity 23. Plural discharge tubules 30 extend through the inner shell 21 and are axially disposed to discharge air and cleansing fluid, such as treated water, on the perineum P for washing and drying. The air and water introduced through the tubules 30, is discharged through the waste tube 24.

To render the cup functional, I provide a vacuum-air producing device 40, which includes an electric motor 41 which activates a fan blade 42. The air moved by the fan blade 42 is heated as it passes the motor 44 and is then introduced into the conduit 29 by which it is conveyed to the cup 10 and exhausted through the tube 24. At the lower side of the blade 42 a vacuum is formed thus creating a low pressure in the cup 10 and tube 24 while a higher pressure is developed in the conduit 29 and cavity 23. The flow of water and air thus assists in the transporting excreta through the tube 24 and discharges it and the associated cleansing fluid into a chemically treated sump 43 from whence the sewage may be discharge through a valve 44 into a sewer (not shown through hose 45 releasably coupled at 46. Y

A deodorizing filter 47 conditions the air for recirculation by the fan blade 42. i

For washing, any cleansing fluid, as water 50, with a mild disinfectant, may be employed. Water is supplied through a valved inlet 51 into a reservoir 52 where it is heated by electric element 53 controlled by a thermostat T to body temperature, or as selectively set. An electrically driven pump 54 forces the warm water through a constant pressure outlet valve 55 from which it is introduced into the conduit 29 and thus into cavity 23 and through tubules 30 where it cleanses the perineum P and is exhausted through tube 24.

The various tubes, hoses, pipes etc., are supplied with releasable connectors as 46, 56, and 57 to facilitate transportation of the air vacuum unit 40 and the water supply 50-55 from place to place on the wheeled dolly 58. Obviously, the unit may be built-in or stationary, if desired.

In FIG. 5, l have shown a plug 60 for connecting to any electrical service outlet (not shown) which energizes the heating element 53 as controlled by thermostat T. An electrically operated timer 61 is activated by a manually operated normally open switch 62 and the timer turns on both the fan motor 41 and the pump 54 simultaneously as at A of FIG. 6. After the washing cycle (A to B of FIG. 6) the timer deactivates the pump 54, shutting off the water flow while the air flow continues for the period B-C sufficient to dry the washed perineum Having thus described my invention, I desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States the following:

1. An excretory prosthesis, comprising:

a cup having an endless lip formed from supple, pressure deformable material and shaped to form a watertight contact with the human body in covering relation to the perineum;

a tube communicating with said cup for carrying excreta for discharge at a remote place;

said cup comprising inner and outer spaced shells defining a cavity therebetween for receiving a fluid under pressure;

said tube being constructed and arranged to receive excreta from said inner shell only;

said inner shell having perforations at selected locations to cleanse the perineum and urinary and anal vents of the body and communicating with said cavity; and

means for introducing a pressurized cleansing fluid into said cavity, whereby it flows through said perforations to cleanse the perineum and carry the excreta into the tube.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 and further characterized by:

a harness for releasably securing said cup to a body in watertight covering relationship to the perineum.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 2 and further characterized by:

reservoir means containing said cleansing fluid;

means substantially maintaining said fluid at a predetermined temperature;

means for stopping the introduction of said fluid; and

means for causing a flow of preheated air into the cup and exhausting through said tube, whereby to dry the perineum.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 1 and further characterized by:

means releasably holding said cup in watertight association with said body;

means for invention heated relatively dry air through said cup for a predetermined period of time to dry the perineum and exhaust through said tube;

control means for sequentially stopping the flow of said cleansing fluid prior to stopping the circulation of said air for a period sufficient to effect said drying; and

means for manually initiating the simultaneous flow and circulation of said cleansing fluid and said air. 5. The invention in accordance with claim 4 and further characterized by:

said means for circulating said air, comprises: a vacuum producing device having means for heating and drying the air exhausted therefrom into said cup and receiving it again from said cup through said tube; and

including a receptacle constructed and arranged to receive heavier-than-air substances from said tube.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 5 and further characterized by:

said means for introducing said fluid, comprising:

a reservoir,

a thermostatically controlled heater in said reservoir; and

conduit adapted to receive heated fluid from said reservoir and discharge it under pressure into said cavity.

7. The invention in accordance with claim 6 and further characterized by:

A manually initiated sequencing timer adapted to control the relative timers and durations of flow of said air and said fluid and constituting at least a portion of said control means said control means including a valve in said conduit;

said conduit including a pump for pressurizing said fluid;

and

said timer being adapted to simultaneously activate said pump and open said valve for a predetermined period of time, somewhat shorter than the period of operation of said vacuum producing device.

8. The invention in accordance with claim 7 and further characterized by:

a mobile frame supporting for manually directed movements from place to place;

said means for circulating air, said conduit and reservoir;

and

means for connecting said mobilized elements from said cup.

9. The invention in accordance with claim 5 and further characterized by:

means for discharging the contents of said reservoir according to manual selection. 

1. An excretory prosthesis, comprising: a cup having an endless lip formed from supple, pressure deformable material and shaped to form a watertight contact with the human body in covering relation to the perineum; a tube communicating with said cup for carrying excreta for discharge at a remote place; said cup comprising inner and outer spaced shells defining a cavity therebetween for receiving a fluid under pressure; said tube being constructed and arranged to receive excreta from said inner shell only; said inner shell having perforations at selected locations to cleanse the perineum and urinary and anal vents of the body and communicating with said cavity; and means for introducing a pressurized cleansing fluid into said cavity, whereby it flows through said perforations to cleanse the perineum and carry the excreta into the tube.
 2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 and further characterized by: a harness for releasably securing said cup to a body in watertight covering relationship to the perineum.
 3. The invention in accordance with claim 2 and further characterIzed by: reservoir means containing said cleansing fluid; means substantially maintaining said fluid at a predetermined temperature; means for stopping the introduction of said fluid; and means for causing a flow of preheated air into the cup and exhausting through said tube, whereby to dry the perineum.
 4. The invention in accordance with claim 1 and further characterized by: means releasably holding said cup in watertight association with said body; means for circulating heated relatively dry air through said cup for a predetermined period of time to dry the perineum and exhaust through said tube; control means for sequentially stopping the flow of said cleansing fluid prior to stopping the circulation of said air for a period sufficient to effect said drying; and means for manually initiating the simultaneous flow and circulation of said cleansing fluid and said air.
 5. The invention in accordance with claim 4 and further characterized by: said means for circulating said air, comprises: a vacuum producing device having means for heating and drying the air exhausted therefrom into said cup and receiving it again from said cup through said tube; and including a receptacle constructed and arranged to receive heavier-than-air substances from said tube.
 6. The invention in accordance with claim 5 and further characterized by: said means for introducing said fluid, comprising: a reservoir, a thermostatically controlled heater in said reservoir; and conduit adapted to receive heated fluid from said reservoir and discharge it under pressure into said cavity.
 7. The invention in accordance with claim 6 and further characterized by: A manually initiated sequencing timer adapted to control the relative timers and durations of flow of said air and said fluid and constituting at least a portion of said control means; said control means including a valve in said conduit; said conduit including a pump for pressurizing said fluid; and said timer being adapted to simultaneously activate said pump and open said valve for a predetermined period of time, somewhat shorter than the period of operation of said vacuum producing device.
 8. The invention in accordance with claim 7 and further characterized by: a mobile frame supporting for manually directed movements from place to place; said means for circulating air, said conduit and reservoir; and means for connecting said mobilized elements from said cup.
 9. The invention in accordance with claim 5 and further characterized by: means for discharging the contents of said reservoir according to manual selection. 